Siding panel system

Abstract

A panel for attachment to a mounting surface includes a fastener edge defined along one edge of the panel and a butt edge defined opposite the fastener edge. The fastener edge contacts the mounting surface. The panel includes a plurality of raised faces formed between the fastener edge and the butt edge. The raised faces are oriented at a first angle to the mounting surface, such that the raised faces are further from the mounting surface toward the butt edge. The panel also includes a tapered keyway linking each of the raised faces. The tapered keyway extends from the raised faces toward the mounting surface and is at a second angle to the raised faces. An offset hem is formed on the fastener edge and extends away from the mounting surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A panel for attachment to a mounting surface, comprising:
 a fastener edge configured to contact the mounting surface; 
 a butt edge defined opposite the fastener edge; 
 a plurality of raised faces formed between the fastener edge and the butt edge, wherein the raised faces are oriented at a first angle to the mounting surface, such that the raised faces are further from the mounting surface toward the butt edge than toward the fastener edge; 
 a tapered keyway linking each of the raised faces, wherein the tapered keyway extends from the raised faces toward the mounting surface and is at a second angle to the raised faces; 
 an overlap portion formed on the fastener edge from a folded layer of the panel and defining a back layer adjacent the mounting surface and a front layer distal from the mounting surface, wherein a lock slot is defined between the front layer and the back layer; 
 an offset hem formed on the front layer of the fastener edge, wherein the front layer protrudes away the back layer and the mounting surface, and then returns toward the back layer; 
 a plurality of fastener holes defined through the fastener edge, wherein the fastener holes pass through the front layer and the back layer and are configured to mount the first panel to the mounting surface with a plurality of fasteners; and 
 wherein the offset hem is formed above the fastener holes, relative to gravity as configured to be attached to the mounting surface, such that a deflection point is defined above the fastener holes. 
 
     
     
       2. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered keyway does not contact the mounting surface. 
     
     
       3. A siding system for attachment to a mounting surface, comprising:
 a first panel having:
 a fastener edge configured to contact the mounting surface; 
 a butt edge defined opposite the fastener edge; 
 a plurality of raised faces formed between the fastener edge and the butt edge, wherein the raised faces are oriented at a first angle to the mounting surface, such that the raised faces are further from the mounting surface toward the butt edge than toward the fastener edge; 
 a tapered keyway linking each of the raised faces, wherein the tapered keyway extends from the raised faces toward the mounting surface and is at a second angle to the raised faces; 
 an overlap portion formed from a folded layer of the panel and defining a back layer adjacent the mounting surface and a front layer distal from the mounting surface; 
 an offset hem formed on the front layer of the fastener edge, wherein the front layer protrudes away the back layer and the mounting surface, and then returns toward the back layer; and 
 a lock slot defined by the overlap portion, wherein the offset hem defines a greater gap than the lock slot; and 
 
 a second panel having;
 a fastener edge configured to contact the mounting surface; 
 a butt edge defined opposite the fastener edge; 
 a plurality of raised faces formed between the fastener edge and the butt edge, wherein the raised faces are oriented at a first angle to the mounting surface, such that the raised faces are further from the mounting surface toward the butt edge than toward the fastener edge; 
 a tapered keyway linking each of the raised faces, wherein the tapered keyway extends from the raised faces toward the mounting surface and is at a second angle to the raised faces; 
 an overlap portion formed from a folded layer of the panel and defining a back layer adjacent the mounting surface and a front layer distal from the mounting surface; 
 an offset hem formed on the front layer of the fastener edge, wherein the front layer protrudes away the back layer and the mounting surface, and then returns toward the back layer; 
 a plurality of fastener holes defined through the fastener edge, wherein the offset hem is formed above the fastener holes, relative to gravity as configured to be attached to the mounting surface, such that a deflection point is defined above the fastener holes; and 
 a lock slot defined by the overlap portion, wherein the offset hem defines a greater gap than the lock slot; 
 
 wherein the butt edge of the second panel mates with the overlap portion of the first panel. 
 
     
     
       4. The siding system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a body length defined by the vertical distance from the butt edge to the fastener edge; 
 a deflection distance defined by the vertical distance from the butt edge of the second panel to the offset hem of the first panel; and 
 wherein the ratio of the body length to the deflection distance is less than ten. 
 
     
     
       5. The siding system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a body thickness defined by the horizontal distance from the mounting surface to the raised faces at the butt edge; 
 a deflection gap defined by the horizontal distance from the offset hem of the first panel to the tapered keyway of the second panel; and 
 wherein the ratio of the body thickness to the deflection gap is at least five. 
 
     
     
       6. The siding system of  claim 5 , wherein the tapered keyway is substantially parallel to the mounting surface. 
     
     
       7. The siding system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a body thickness defined by the horizontal distance from the mounting surface to the raised faces at the butt edge; 
 a deflection gap defined by the horizontal distance from the offset hem of the first panel to the tapered keyway of the second panel; and 
 wherein the ratio of the body thickness to the deflection gap is at least five. 
 
     
     
       8. The siding system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a body length defined by the vertical distance from the butt edge to the fastener edge; 
 a deflection distance defined by the vertical distance from the butt edge of the second panel to the offset hem of the first panel; and 
 wherein the ratio of the body length to the deflection distance is less than ten.